Man vs Ocean a new documentary airing on RTÉ this week chronicles two men’s efforts to break world records rowing across the mighty Atlantic.
The documentary follows Damian and Fergus preparing for their epic voyage as they aim to set a new world record for the fastest unsupported Atlantic row, from New York to Galway.
Their extraordinary journey will not only test their bodies but also push the boundaries of their relationships with each other, their families, and themselves.
Setting out on this adventure, Damian Browne commented, “More people have summited Mount Everest or been into space than rowed an ocean.”
“Our goal is to row from New York 5,000km across the unforgiving North Atlantic, unsupported to our hometown Galway by manpower alone. The record is 55 days 13 hours. Our goal is to break that world record…”
The physical obstacles are only one element of their journey. Damian and Fergus are forced to face their own personal obstacles as they push their bodies and minds to the limits.
“The minute you get comfortable, the Atlantic just knocks you over… and then you have the internal battle and the psychological demands of just doing one thing, seeing one picture for two months and doing something very physical within that is taxing…that stuff builds up over time,” Damian said.
Damian aims to use the journey to reflect on his obsession with thrill seeking. Meanwhile, Fergus wrestles with self-doubt and questions whether he is ready for this mammoth challenge as, just a few short years ago he was paralysed by a traumatic spinal injury, but learnt to walk again against the odds.
Fergus said of his injury, “My first thought was I’m never going to be able to walk my daughter down the aisle or play soccer out the back with my son”.
“From that moment I concentrated on my big right toe, and I visualised it every moment of every day… The light in the tunnel happened 21 days after the accident – I moved my big right toe, and that was it, that was my shining light.”
However, when Fergus has to be evacuated 12 days into the excursion, Damian quickly realises that his journey is only just beginning.
What started out as two friends attempting to break a 125-year-old world record hurtles into the ultimate test of human endurance.
While out on the ocean, Damian is forced to reevaluate his relationship with his friends, his family and ultimately, his relationship with himself.
Man vs Ocean will air on Wednesday 6th December, 9:35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
